Acoustic or electric? Both are completely valid options for a beginner, but before I can give any additional advice, you'll need to pick one or the other.
If you are going to buy a guitar buy a good one even as a starter. Cheap guitars suck bad and will discourage you. Not saying to buy a top of the line but get a decent guitar and not something cheap and crappy like a Squire.
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The most important thing is that you like the way the guitar sounds, sits and looks. If it doesn't fit this criteria you may be less inclined to play it. you have to be one with your axe, it has to be a part of you and you need to be a part of it.
Other than that I recommend something made in Canada.
I have the same conundrum. I've played some acoustic in the past (lessons as a kid) but am pretty much starting from scratch. I've chosen to go with Electric for a few specific reasons:
1. The steel strings on an acoustic will eat your virgin fingers alive. This REALLY discourages extended practice/play sessions. Having smaller hands makes maneuvers even more difficult. I'd be done after a half hour, despite wanting to keep on practicing.
2. An electric is way quieter when strumming and can be played with headphones if you want to hear the noise. This will be appreciated by neighbors (particularly in apartments) and allow you to play whenever the mood strikes. You can even play while your buddies are over watching the game without being a crummy host
3. Rocking out impresses chick more than acoustic stuff.
The reality is that the skills transfer over directly to acoustic......so why take the more difficult path to get to the same place? Build your skill, calluses and finger strength on the electric. The only real drawback is the cost of a cheap, tiny amp. Whoopee.
Go rent something bad-ass and learn on that. Resale value on GTRs is crap unless it's a professional calibre instrument.
Good advice. I don't know why any novice would buy a new instrument. Kijiji and a set of fresh strings or reeds......good to go for pretty much any instrument.
The only real drawback is the cost of a cheap, tiny amp. Whoopee.
Eff that. There's tonnes of free guitar modelling plugins you can download for your computer. You just need a GTR USB interface, which is like 50 bucks.
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So far, this is the oldest I've been.
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Eff that. There's tonnes of free guitar modelling plugins you can download for your computer. You just need a GTR USB interface, which is like 50 bucks.
You can get a perfectly decent beginner practice amp for $50-100, which has the advantage of being portable. It would kind of suck if you could only play when you're at your computer.
That said, I'm a HUGE fan of StealthPlug and the accompanying Amplitube software (free version linked, but there's also a paid version with a much larger selection of amp and effects models).
As I said I have never played before and dont want to spend lots right off the bat because i may end up hating it.
Is this ok to at least learn how?
ACADEMY 41 Inch Electric Acoustic Guitar
No.
That guitar is a piece of junk, it will sound like crap, it will go out of tune much faster than a better quality instrument, and -- most importantly -- it will be more difficult to fret notes and be harder on your (non-calloused, tender) fingers. All of these reasons will discourage you from playing it, and as a beginner, it's absolutely critical that you stay motivated and keep playing even though you suck and your fingers hurt.
If I was in the market for a beginner acoustic guitar, I'd buy something from Godin (their brands include Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Art & Lutherie, and Norman) in the ~$300 range. Those guitars are made in Canada, sound great, are a joy to play, and are excellent quality.
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You can get a perfectly decent beginner practice amp for $50-100, which has the advantage of being portable. It would kind of suck if you could only play when you're at your computer.
That said, I'm a HUGE fan of StealthPlug and the accompanying Amplitube software (free version linked, but there's also a paid version with a much larger selection of amp and effects models).
Is Amplitube for iPad/iPhone any good? I absolutely love the full Windows/Mac version, but I wonder if the iOS edition suffers from severe platform limitations.
Is Amplitube for iPad/iPhone any good? I absolutely love the full Windows/Mac version, but I wonder if the iOS edition suffers from severe platform limitations.
I got a 6 string Simon & Patrick when I started learning, and I would wholeheartedly recommend them. They're inexpensive for a solid top Guitar, and they sound better and better as they age. You can pick them up for about $300ish at Guitarworks. Never pay the stick price though; if you go to Guitarworks and they even smell that you're considering buying something, they'll knock off money right on the spot.
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Thinking About Buying A Guitar!
